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Sixth Annual Student Diversity Leadership Gathering

Student Diversity Leadership Gathering Logo

"Reaffirming the Value and Importance of Diversity"

Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024 | In person | 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Participation is free. | Registration required by Jan. 26.
The Harker School’s upper school campus | 500 Saratoga Ave., San Jose

Register by Jan. 26 for SDLG 2024

The sixth annual Student Diversity Leadership Gathering will be led by Rodney Glasgow (diversity facilitator extraordinaire from the People of Color Conference/Student Diversity Leadership Conference). Participants will experience an empowering interactional space in which students and adults will:

  • self-reflect
  • develop cross-cultural communication skills
  • examine strategies for social justice practice
  • practice the foundations of ally-ship and networking principles ... and more.

While this is primarily a student-focused event, led by the Student Diversity Coalition, there will be breakout opportunities for adults as well. This event is for grade 6-12 students and employees of their schools.

Our goal is to connect with students, faculty and staff in California schools who want to further explore diversity and social activism through an experiential program that will deepen our thinking and understanding, while exploring the dynamics of identity and fostering kinship within and across affinity groups.

Keynote Speakers

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Rodney Glasgow

Rodney Glasgow, Ph.D.

Rodney Glasgow is an innovative educational leader, published author, renowned keynote speaker, diversity practitioner, and current head of school at Sandy Spring Friends School, a progressive, coed, college preparatory Quaker school serving students in preschool through 12th grade. Rodney joined SSFS as the school's eighth Head of School in July 2020 after nearly 20 years of experience in progressive and independent school settings as a seasoned educator and senior administrator.

A graduate of Gilman School in his hometown of Baltimore, Md., Rodney holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and African American studies from Harvard University, a master's degree in organizational leadership from Columbia University's Klingenstein Center, and a doctorate of education from The George Washington University; Rodney has held classroom, boardroom and administrative leadership positions at several nationally recognized independent schools. He strives to better understand and transform learning spaces by facilitating meaningful interactions and reflections among faculty and students that expand their possibilities for growth, change, and fulfillment of purpose.

Rodney is also well-known as a diversity advocate and facilitator who believes deeply in fostering a sense of belonging as a tool for nurturing brave and just spaces. He is founder and chair of the National Diversity Practitioners Institute for educators and administrators, as well as the NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference, which is attended each year by over 1,800 high school students nationwide. Rodney is also president and principal consultant of the Glasgow Group, LLC, which works with schools, individuals, and organizations to create and promote equitable and just practices that harness the power of diversity and inclusivity. He is the recipient of the People of Courage Award from the City of Worcester and a featured writer in "One Teacher in Ten in the New Millennium: LGBT Educators Speak Out About What's Gotten Better ... and What Hasn't."

Rodney is passionate about encouraging students to find and express the fullness of their identities, and providing transformative educational environments that allow students and teachers to lead and learn together.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Rodney Glasgow

Priyanka Rupani

Priyanka Rupani (she/her) is currently the assistant principal (assistant head of school) at Francis W. Parker School in Chicago. Prior to working at Parker, Priyanka served as the director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, where she is an alum. Previously, she served as the director of diversity, equity, and social justice at the Friends School of Baltimore. Priyanka completed her B.A. from Northwestern University and her M.S.Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania. She has taught math and African American history to high schoolers and was a member of the 2010 Teach for America Corps in Philadelphia. Priyanka is also a faculty member for the National Association of Independent Schools’ annual Student Diversity Leadership Conference and a principal consultant for the Glasgow Group. Through this work, she consults on topics of DEI and education for organizations nationwide.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Rodney Glasgow

Oscar Gonzalez

Oscar Gonzalez is the director of equity and inclusivity at Graland Country Day School in Denver and co-chair of the National Association of Independent School’s annual Student Diversity Leadership Conference, a 29-year-old training ground drawing over 1,800 high school students nationwide. Oscar is a principal consultant with The Glasgow Group. Oscar attended both public and independent schools, and seeing the disparity in opportunities, he became passionate about working in education. Oscar was the first in his family to graduate from college, earning a bachelor’s degree in English from Northwestern University. Keeping students’ best interests front of mind, he creates a sense of belonging and works to ensure everyone feels welcome and included. He educates others on issues of equity, inclusion and belonging.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Rodney Glasgow

Jamor Gaffney

Jamor Gaffney is an experienced consultant and organizational strategist with deep expertise advancing equity in K-12 education and the nonprofit industry. For over 10 years, she has turned her passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion into programs, curricula and events that seed transformation.

Jamor is a founding partner at For The Culture, an equity and culture shift firm providing comprehensive DEI services to organizations of all sizes. She is a consultant with the widely recognized Glasgow Group, and she designs K-12 curriculum covering film, TV shows, and other cultural works for Journeys in Film. She previously lent her passion for DEI to the National Association of Independent Schools and Indian Creek School. She has also helped transform organizational culture and strategic partnerships at leading reproductive health, rights and justice organizations such as In Our Own Voice: National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda and Planned Parenthood Federation of America. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland.

Jamor lives in Annapolis, Md., with her wife, Brittni, surrounded by and grounded by a family full of tenacious Black women. Her favorite things to do when she’s not out advancing equity in schools and organizations include reading works of fiction and creating digital art.

Event Schedule

Agenda
8 a.m. Check-In Begins Rothschild Performing Arts Center (RPAC)
8:45 a.m. Doors Open RPAC
9 a.m. Keynote Speakers Rodney Glasgow, Priyanka Rupani - RPAC
Jamor Gaffney, Oscar Gonzalez - Auxiliary Gym

(Speaker Bios)

10 a.m. Students & Adults Sessions Pt. 1 Begin RPAC / Nichols Hall Atrium / Auxiliary Gym
11:45 a.m. Lunch Manzanita Hall
12:30-1:30 p.m.

Open Planning/Activity Spaces for Middle and High School Faculty

Locations will be shared with participants
1:40 p.m. Students & Adults Sessions Pt. 2 Begin RPAC / Nichols Hall Atrium / Auxiliary Gym
3:10 p.m. Closing RPAC / Auxiliary Gym
4 p.m. SDLG Ends

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Harker

Diversity, equity and inclusion is at the core of our mission and philosophy at The Harker School. We are firmly dedicated to building, sustaining and retaining a safe, loving and inclusive environment for all students, faculty, staff, families and alumni, and expect all members in the Harker community to participate and engage in this work collectively. Through our educational opportunities for students, and development opportunities for faculty, staff and parents, we embrace the conversations needed so that our students are equipped to be the changemakers needed in our country and throughout the world.

Learn More about Harker's DEI Efforts